The Mets will look to build off last night’s walk-off as they welcome the Nationals to town to finish off the first half of the season. Jacob deGrom was amazing last night, as per usual, and the Mets didn’t score for him at all, as per usual. In the 10th inning, with two men on and two outs Brandon Nimmo smacked a homer to send everyone into the night happy (just like him normally). Jacob deGrom built on what should be a case to start the All-Star game, if the Mets couldn’t help him with runs last night, they could be scoring off his main competition Max Scherzer tonight.

Nationals Lineup

For the Mets, it falls to Steven Matz. Matz is 4-6 over 17 games and 89.2 innings with a 3.31 ERA, 4.65 FIP, 1.227 WHIP and 116 ERA+. In July he has allowed 2 runs, 1 earned over 11.1 innings from 8 hits and 5 walks while striking out 11, which equates to an ERA of 0.77. In his first start against the Nationals this year, he held them to 1 unearned run over 5.0 innings. In his second start, he allowed 3 runs off 3 hits in 4.0 innings. The Nationals have the following numbers against Matz:

Max Scherzer is having an excellent year and is rivaling deGrom in being the best pitcher this season. He is 11-5 with 127.2 innings of work (league leading), 2.33 ERA, 2.60 FIP, 0.893 WHIP (league leading) and 180 ERA+. He also leads the league in strikeouts with 177, if that holds, he will lead the league in strikeouts for 3 years in a row. He has been more human in July allowing 7 runs over 13.0 innings from 11 hits, 5 walks and 12 K’s including 3 homers leading to an ERA of 4.85 (this is also why deGrom is leading in ERA and FIP right now). Amazingly, Max has put up these numbers without facing the pitiful Mets offense yet. Last year in 4 games against the Mets he was 3-1 over 28.0 innings allowe 10 runs (3.21 ERA) from 21 hits and 5 walks. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

Cabrera 14-61, 4 2B, HR, 3 BB, 18 K

Reyes 10-29, 2B, HR, BB

Bautista 9-20, 4 2B, HR, 3 BB

Conforto 6-18, 3 HR, 2 BB, 7 K

Flores 0-14, BB, 8 K

Plawecki 2-12

Nimmo 2-8, HR

Game Notes

In six-career starts vs. Washington, Matz is 1-2 with a 2.37 ERA (10 earned runs/38.0 innings) with 34 strikeouts and 10 walks. His 2.37 ERA is the best of his career against any opponent he’s faced (min. two starts). Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and Trea Turner are hitting a combined .184 (7/38) with 12 strikeouts against Matz.

Since May 5, opponents are hitting .149 (17-114) with men on base and .115 (7-61) with RISP off Matz in 12 starts.

The Mets have three walk-off homers in July. The only other time they hit three walk-off homers in the same calendar month was in June, 1963.

Over his last 44 games, Wilmer Flores is batting .305 (43-141) with 13 doubles, six home runs, 23 RBI, 14 runs scored, 11 walks and a .350 OBP (dating back to May 4).

My name is Elliot and I’ve been writing the Game Preview posts at MMO since 2008. I am excited to be back sharing my thoughts with you. When I’m not watching the Mets, I’m a Physics Teacher in Newark, NJ and writing about the Mets at 213 Miles From Shea. LGM! You can follow me on twitter @213mfs